Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to remove barriers to a more resource-efficient economy; and if she will encourage the Environment Agency to reopen its online definition of waste tool to new submissions.

As part of our planning for the UK’s exit from the EU, we are considering the options for reshaping our waste and resources policy and regulatory framework to encourage the more sustainable use of resources. We are currently developing a 25 year environment plan and will consult stakeholders early this year on the priorities for resources, waste and recycling. Views on the key barriers to resource efficiency and ideas for addressing these will be welcome. In parallel, we are working to ensure alignment with other plans in development such as the Government’s new industrial strategy and our emissions reduction plan.

The Environment Agency’s online definition of waste tool is still available. It can be used for a self-assessment of whether a material is a waste or not. The Definition of Waste Panel is closed until further notice while the Environment Agency reviews its role and purpose.